Tournament of Neighboring: Vote, Try and Complete Bracket

 

Every March, millions of Americans fill out brackets, debate upsets, and watch every buzzer-beater of March Madness. But this year, we’re inviting you to join a different kind of tournament—one that happens much closer to home.

Welcome to the Tournament of Neighboring.

Instead of college basketball teams, this bracket features 64 simple acts of neighborliness—small, practical things anyone can do to make their street a friendlier place. Think driveway conversations, sharing baked goods, helping with a small chore, welcoming a new resident, or inviting someone for a walk.

The format is familiar and fun. Just like March Madness, neighboring ideas compete in head-to-head matchups, and you help decide which ones advance.

But here’s the difference: in this tournament, everyone wins—because every idea on the bracket helps build stronger neighborhoods.

How the Tournament Works

The full bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15.

From there, the neighboring ideas advance through the same tournament rhythm as March Madness:

• First Four

• Sweet Sixteen

• Elite Eight

• Final Four

The championship round takes place on April 6, the same day the national basketball champion is crowned.

Each round, people vote online for the neighboring idea they like best. As the bracket narrows, the excitement grows—and so does the inspiration to try the ideas yourself.

Three Easy Ways to Join

1. Vote

The simplest way to participate is to vote each round.

Voting only takes a moment, but it sparks great conversations: Which ideas actually help a neighborhood thrive? What would work on your street? Which act deserves to move on?

Your vote helps decide the champion.

2. Try the Ideas

Voting is fun—but the real impact happens when people try the ideas in real life.

Maybe you learn the name of a neighbor you haven’t met yet.
Maybe you share a plate of cookies.
Maybe you start a small walking group or attend a local school event.

One small act often leads to another. And you may discover something surprising: many of your neighbors are just as eager for connection as you are.

3. Complete the Final Challenge

Once the tournament champion is crowned, everyone will be invited to do that winning act in their own neighborhood.

Those who complete the final challenge and report it will receive a small thank-you prize, including:

• a National Good Neighbor Day flying disc

• a tote bag

• and neighboring stickers

It’s a fun way to celebrate the impact you helped create.

Why This Matters

The Tournament of Neighboring isn’t about perfection. It’s about participation.

Research consistently shows that strong neighbor relationships help reduce loneliness, increase belonging, and make communities safer and more resilient. Yet many people simply need a small nudge—or a fun reason—to take the first step.

This tournament provides exactly that.

For one month, it gives us a playful challenge and a shared rhythm to practice neighboring together.

Ready to Play?

Keep an eye out for the bracket reveal on March 15.

Then grab your friends, follow the matchups, cast your votes, and try a few of the ideas on your own block.

Basketball teams may battle for a championship this spring—but we have the chance to build something even better: stronger, friendlier neighborhoods.

Because good neighbors don’t just happen.

They are built one connection at a time.

Read the original version of this idea that inspired this new tournament.

WRITTEN BY

David L. Burton

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com.